Key Takeaways
• On May 28, 2025, Air Serbia gained Russian approval to use Trans-Siberian airspace for Belgrade-Shanghai flights.
• Air Serbia’s access shortens flight times, reduces fuel costs, and gives a competitive edge over EU-sanctioned airlines.
• The airline operates twice-weekly Airbus A330-200 flights and plans fleet expansion amid China route growth.
Air Serbia Gains Russian Airspace Access: What It Means for Belgrade-Shanghai Flights and Global Travelers
Air Serbia has secured official approval from Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency to use the Trans-Siberian air corridor for its flights between Belgrade and Shanghai. This move, confirmed on May 28, 2025, marks a major shift in European-Asian air travel and could have far-reaching effects for travelers, airlines, and the broader aviation industry. The decision comes at a time when most European airlines are still banned from Russian airspace due to ongoing sanctions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Air Serbia’s new access stands out as a rare exception, giving the airline a unique advantage on its China routes.
Let’s break down what this means, how it affects travelers and the airline industry, and why it matters in the current global context.
What Happened: The Key Details
- Who: Air Serbia, Serbia’s national airline
- What: Received approval to fly through Russian airspace on the Belgrade-Shanghai route
- When: Approval confirmed May 28, 2025; secured in late April 2025
- Where: Flights between Belgrade (Serbia) and Shanghai (China 🇨🇳), using the Trans-Siberian corridor over Russia 🇷🇺
- Why: To shorten flight times, save fuel, and improve efficiency
- How: Through a formal request by Serbia’s Civil Aviation Directorate and official agreement by Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency
Why This Approval Matters
This approval is significant for several reasons:
- Shorter Flights: The Trans-Siberian corridor is the most direct route between Europe and East Asia. By flying over Russia, Air Serbia can cut down on flight time and distance.
- Fuel and Cost Savings: Shorter routes mean less fuel burned, which can lower costs for the airline and potentially for passengers.
- Competitive Edge: Most European airlines still can’t fly over Russia due to sanctions. Air Serbia’s access gives it a unique position among European carriers.
- Better Scheduling: With more efficient routes, Air Serbia can offer more reliable schedules and possibly add more flights.
How Air Serbia’s Route Works Now
Currently, Air Serbia’s Belgrade-Shanghai flights do not use Russian airspace. Instead, they take a longer southern route, flying over:
- Bulgaria
- Georgia
- Azerbaijan
- Kazakhstan
This detour stretches the journey to more than 10 hours and 30 minutes for the 8,455-kilometer (5,242-mile) trip. The airline operates this service twice a week:
- Flight JU986: Leaves Belgrade at 00:40 (Tuesdays and Saturdays), arrives in Shanghai at 18:55 local time
- Flight JU987: Leaves Shanghai at 22:25 (Wednesdays and Sundays), arrives in Belgrade at 04:45 the next day
All flights use the Airbus A330-200, a wide-body aircraft suited for long-haul travel.
What Changes With Russian Airspace Access?
With the new approval, Air Serbia can now choose to fly over Russia using the Trans-Siberian corridor. While the airline hasn’t confirmed if or when it will switch to this route, the option is now open. The potential benefits include:
- Reduced Flight Time: The direct route could shave off significant time from each flight.
- Fuel Savings: Less distance means less fuel, which is good for both the airline’s budget and the environment.
- Operational Flexibility: Air Serbia can adjust its routes based on weather, air traffic, or political developments.
- Improved Passenger Experience: Shorter flights are more comfortable and appealing to travelers.
Why Can Air Serbia Use Russian Airspace When Others Can’t?
Most European airlines lost access to Russian airspace after sanctions were imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, Air Serbia is not affected by these bans because:
- Serbia is not in the European Union: The country is not bound by EU sanctions.
- Air Serbia is not subject to EU rules: This allows the airline to keep flying to and over Russia.
As a result, Air Serbia has continued to operate flights to several Russian cities, including:
- Moscow Sheremetyevo: Three flights daily
- St. Petersburg: Six flights weekly
- Kazan: Two flights weekly
- Sochi: Two flights weekly
This ongoing access has helped Air Serbia maintain and even expand its network while many competitors have been forced to cut routes or take longer detours.
How Do Chinese Airlines Benefit?
Chinese airlines flying between China 🇨🇳 and Belgrade already use the Trans-Siberian corridor. This gives them a clear advantage over Western airlines, which must avoid Russian airspace and take longer, more expensive routes. For example, China Eastern Airlines is using its access to Russian airspace to expand its European network, with new routes planned to cities like Barcelona, Geneva, Milan, and Copenhagen in 2025.
Air Serbia’s China Strategy: Building Stronger Ties
The Belgrade-Shanghai route is just one part of Air Serbia’s broader push to strengthen its connections with China. The airline has launched several new routes in recent years:
- Tianjin: Flights started December 9, 2022
- Guangzhou: Service began September 30, 2024
- Shanghai: Launched January 11, 2025
The Shanghai service runs twice a week year-round, with the summer schedule set through at least March 30, 2025.
Why Focus on China?
Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, has explained the importance of these routes:
“With the introduction of direct flights to Shanghai, along with the visa-free regime and the recently signed free trade agreement, we are contributing to the further strengthening of economic relations, business, tourism, and cultural ties between Serbia and China.”
This expansion fits into a larger pattern of growing diplomatic and economic cooperation between Serbia and China. The Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, Ming Li, has pointed out that the Shanghai route will benefit from:
- The China-Serbia free trade agreement
- Visa-free travel policies
- The economic power of Shanghai and its region, which makes up 25% of China’s national GDP
Fleet Growth: More Planes for More Routes
To support its expanding network, Air Serbia has been growing its fleet of long-haul aircraft:
- Third Airbus A330-200: Recently delivered
- Fourth A330-200: Planned for delivery before the end of 2024
These wide-body planes are essential for flying long distances to China and carrying both passengers and cargo.
Connecting Europe and Asia: Air Serbia’s Hub Strategy
From its hub in Belgrade, Air Serbia offers connections to many European cities for travelers coming from Shanghai and other Chinese cities. Some of the main destinations include:
- Budapest
- Vienna
- Prague
- Ljubljana
- Milan
- Rome
- Frankfurt
- Paris
- Berlin
- Barcelona
- Amsterdam
This makes Belgrade a convenient stopover for passengers traveling between China and Europe, especially as many Western airlines face longer routes due to Russian airspace restrictions.
Looking Ahead: More Growth on the Horizon
For the 2025 summer season, Air Serbia has announced plans to add new European routes from Belgrade to Florence, Alghero, and Mykonos. The airline is also increasing the number of flights on several existing routes. Early 2025 has already seen strong results, with record passenger numbers—over half a million in January and February combined.
What Does This Mean for Travelers and the Industry?
For Travelers:
- Shorter, More Direct Flights: If Air Serbia switches to the Trans-Siberian route, passengers can expect faster journeys between Belgrade and Shanghai.
- More Choices: With Air Serbia’s growing network, travelers have more options for connecting between Europe and China.
- Potential Cost Savings: Lower fuel costs could eventually lead to more competitive ticket prices.
For the Airline Industry:
- Competitive Pressure: Air Serbia’s access to Russian airspace puts pressure on other European airlines that must take longer routes.
- Changing Market Dynamics: As some airlines gain special access, the balance of power in the Europe-Asia market could shift.
- Operational Flexibility: Airlines with access to Russian airspace can adjust their schedules and routes more easily.
For Serbia and China:
- Stronger Economic Ties: More flights mean more business, tourism, and cultural exchange.
- Boost to Trade: The free trade agreement and visa-free travel make it easier for people and goods to move between the two countries.
- Regional Hub Development: Belgrade’s role as a connecting hub between Europe and Asia is likely to grow.
Background: Why Is Russian Airspace So Important?
Russian airspace covers a huge part of the globe, especially the direct routes between Europe and East Asia. Before the Ukraine conflict, most airlines flying between these regions used the Trans-Siberian corridor to save time and fuel. After the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most Western airlines were banned from Russian airspace, forcing them to take longer, more expensive routes.
This has had several effects:
- Longer Flights: Some journeys now take up to three hours longer.
- Higher Costs: Airlines spend more on fuel and crew time.
- Environmental Impact: Longer routes mean more emissions.
- Reduced Competition: Some airlines have cut routes or reduced frequencies.
Air Serbia’s new approval is a rare exception, showing how political and diplomatic factors can shape the global aviation landscape.
Official Government Resources
Travelers and industry professionals can find more information about Serbia’s air service agreements and international aviation regulations on the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate’s official website.
Visa and Immigration Considerations
The growing number of direct flights between Serbia and China is supported by visa-free travel policies. Serbian and Chinese citizens can visit each other’s countries without a visa for short stays, making travel easier for tourists, businesspeople, and families. For up-to-date information on visa requirements and travel policies, travelers should always check with the official government websites.
Industry Analysis and Further Reading
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Air Serbia’s unique position in the European market—maintaining flights to Russia and now gaining access to Russian airspace for its Belgrade-Shanghai route—gives the airline a strong competitive advantage. This could lead to more growth and new opportunities as the global aviation industry continues to adapt to changing political and economic realities.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Air Serbia now has official approval to use Russian airspace for Belgrade-Shanghai flights, potentially shortening travel times and cutting costs.
- The airline’s unique position—outside EU sanctions—allows it to maintain and expand routes that many competitors cannot.
- Travelers between Europe and China may benefit from more direct flights, better connections, and possibly lower fares.
- The move strengthens economic and cultural ties between Serbia and China, supported by visa-free travel and a free trade agreement.
- Industry watchers should monitor how this development affects competition, route planning, and the broader Europe-Asia aviation market.
For travelers planning to fly between Belgrade and Shanghai, it’s a good idea to check Air Serbia’s official website for the latest schedules and route information. As the airline considers its options with the new Russian airspace approval, passengers could soon enjoy faster, more convenient journeys between Europe and China.
Practical Guidance
- Check Flight Schedules: Air Serbia may update its routes and timings as it begins to use the Trans-Siberian corridor.
- Monitor Visa Policies: While Serbia and China have visa-free travel, always confirm entry requirements before booking.
- Stay Informed: Political and airspace rules can change quickly. Use official sources for the latest updates.
- Consider Connections: Belgrade’s growing hub offers many options for onward travel in Europe.
This development is a reminder of how international politics, aviation policy, and business strategy all come together to shape the way we travel. As Air Serbia moves forward with its Belgrade-Shanghai service, travelers and industry professionals alike will be watching closely to see how these changes play out in the months ahead.
Learn Today
Trans-Siberian corridor → A direct air route over Russia connecting Europe with East Asia, shortening flight distances and times.
Federal Air Transport Agency → Russia’s government body supervising civil aviation, including regulating airspace access for foreign airlines.
Airbus A330-200 → Wide-body, long-range aircraft used by Air Serbia for efficient, medium-capacity international flights to China.
EU sanctions → Restrictions imposed by the European Union that bar airlines from flying through Russian airspace.
Visa-free travel → Agreements allowing citizens of Serbia and China to travel without visas for short stays.
This Article in a Nutshell
Air Serbia secured Russian airspace access for Belgrade-Shanghai routes, enabling shorter flights and competitive advantages. The move enhances Serbia-China ties, boosts efficiency, and may reshape European-Asian airline competition amid ongoing geopolitical restrictions.
— By VisaVerge.com
